Gray mode

When in gray mode, the starship ran on reserve power, cutting power to non-essential decks and ship systems. It allowed for maximum power conservation, budgeting a starship's energy resources during a time of crisis, while still maintaining an operating status. Gray mode could be invoked during a massive fuel shortage, or when the tactical situation required a reduction in discretionary energy usage.

A number of ship systems were either reduced to a lower operating status, or shut down completely, including:

The recycling of non-essential items, which could be broken down into raw matter patterns by the replicator, was commonly practiced. Preserving the replicator for usage only during critical situations (such as replicating repair tools, medicine, etc.) could help extend the energy resources of the ship.